Category: Southern Gospel

New group Weeks Revival makes southern gospel debut on Daywind Records

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TEXAS GOSPEL VOLUNTEER

Daywind Radio has a new group to introduce to Southern Gospel fans. Weeks Revival has arrived, and their debut single, “Breakin’ Loose,” was added to our airplay this week.

The trio is made up of JJ Weeks, Mark Clay, and Benjamin Scott, three men who bring decades of ministry experience and deep church roots to everything they do. Southern Gospel is not a new world for any of them. It is where they came from, and it is who they are.

Mark Clay’s story begins in a small town in Oklahoma, where music was not really part of the local scene. But it was in his blood. At just 19 years old, he received a call from the Nelons to begin travelling, singing, and performing bass with them. That early step led him to a long and faithful road. As JJ Weeks explains, Clay eventually found his way to a group called New Song, and has stayed with them for more than 30 years.

Benjamin Scott’s path was different but no less meaningful. He ended up travelling with JJ Weeks before that journey, too, led him to New Song.

As for Weeks himself, his roots go deep. “I grew up in church. Southern Gospel,” he says simply — words that carry a lifetime of meaning.

Now the three have come together under one name, and they are ready to share what they have. “We are so excited for you to hear our first single,” Weeks says. “We think it takes us right back to our roots, and we pray that it touches you the way it touches us.”

Daywind Radio has called Weeks Revival a natural addition to the Daywind family, a group that not only respects the Southern Gospel tradition, but is committed to honouring it and adding to it with genuine talent and hearts for ministry.

Steve Ladd announces hip replacement surgery, plans September return

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JEFF TURNER

Steve Ladd is going through some tough times after receiving news from his doctor.

“About five months ago, I started having really bad pain in my left hip, down deep inside the socket, thought it would go away, and it just never did. I had an MRI done, met with the orthopaedist, and he says, I have avascular necrosis. He said, there’s no blood flow going to that hip socket, and the bone is dying,” he said in a candid interview.

“Once it starts dying, it’s not coming back. He said, I don’t have to have surgery if I don’t want to, but more than likely, I’ll be in a wheelchair in a couple years if I don’t. So we have opted for a total hip replacement on the left side.”

Steve said he didn’t have this one on his 2026 bingo card, but this isn’t going to keep him from his work in 2026.

“We are doing a total hip replacement at the end of June. My schedule’s full until then I’ll be off July and August for surgery and therapy and healing up and then back out singing in September. I’m just asking for prayers for the surgeons that have steady hands and that I’ll heal up fast and therapy won’t be too hard on me.”

Steve’s latest release, “Everyday Saints,” shines a spotlight on the people in our lives, our communities, and our churches. Anytime help is asked, anytime help is needed, they’re the first ones to show up. The first ones, and a lot of times, the only ones that show up time after time. His previous release, “I’m with the band,” is on the Singing News Top 80, holding the #17 position.

You can learn more about Steve’s music and career on his Facebook page and at his website.

High Road’s Kristen Bearfield recovering after surgery

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TEXAS GOSPEL STAFF

Kristen Bearfield of High Road underwent myomectomy surgery on Tuesday and is now recovering at home.

Bearfield had been dealing with health problems for several months before seeking medical help. In the fall of last year, she experienced symptoms that she initially hoped would improve on their own. However, the symptoms persisted and could no longer be ignored.

The week before Christmas, Bearfield met with a specialist and surgeon in Nashville. She received a diagnosis that was more serious than she had anticipated. The doctor told her she needed surgery that could not be delayed in order to preserve her future health. She also had a biopsy on New Year’s Eve.

In a Facebook post before the surgery, Bearfield asked for prayers and explained what she had been going through.
“I’ve been pretty silent recently, because I’ve been walking through a very unexpected and overwhelming season… but I wanted to share this now to ask for prayer,” Bearfield wrote. “For several months during the fall of last year… I was dealing with health symptoms that could no longer be pushed aside, hoping they would simply get better.”
She continued: “I am scheduled for a myomectomy surgery this Tuesday, February 10th. I would truly cherish prayers for the surgery to completely take care of these issues with no complications, and for a smooth recovery as I take some time off.”

Bearfield acknowledged that the situation had been difficult but expressed her faith throughout the process.

“The last several weeks have been very unsettling, to say the least, but God has been in every detail of this journey, from allowing me to get to a top specialized surgeon, to the support that has surrounded me every step of the way,” she wrote.

She added: “I can’t say I understand the ‘why’ of all this, but I KNOW I trust that God has me, and the future, right in the palm of His hand.”

The surgery took place on Tuesday morning, and Bearfield was able to go home that same afternoon. On Wednesday, The High Road’s official Facebook page shared an update with fans.

“Thank you ALL for praying for Kristen as she had surgery yesterday morning. She went home yesterday afternoon and is recovering there and we are so thankful everything went great. Your prayers are appreciated a ton as she heals up!” the group posted.

Bearfield is now taking time off to focus on her recovery.

Anthem Edition releases new song “He Is Who He Is”

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AMY TURNER

Anthem Edition has released “He Is Who He Is,” their first song of 2026. The new track from Sonlite Records arrives while the title song from their 2025 album, Promises Kept, continues to chart on Southern Gospel airplay.

Mark Mathes wrote “He Is Who He Is.” The song features a classic quartet sound with bluegrass elements. David Johnson plays banjo on the opening chorus.

Tim Rackley, the group’s lead singer, described the song’s appeal and message. “‘He Is Who He Is’ is a fun song to sing, and will be a favourite for everyone that loves quartet music,” he said. “It also has a powerful message in it, because He says ‘I AM WHO I AM’ and ‘I AM has sent me to you.’ (Exodus 3:14), and in Malachi 3:6 He confirms: ‘For I, the Lord, do not change.'”

The opening chorus includes these lyrics:

He is who He is, He was who He was

He did what He did, He still does what He does

The Alpha, Omega, the Babe from Bethlehem

The Spring of Living Water, and He is the Great I Am

Piano, pedal steel and electric guitar follow the opening chorus. The song contains two verses and multiple choruses.

The song is available in Dolby Atmos spatial audio on Apple Music, Amazon Music and TIDAL.

Doug Roark and Tim Rackley founded Anthem Edition in 2003 as a trio called The Old Paths. The trio became a quartet and gained national attention. The group signed with Sonlite Records, part of Crossroad Music, in 2012. Their album Right Now produced two number one hits and earned them a Singing News Fan Award for Favourite New Quartet.

The group stopped touring in 2015 and returned in 2017. They changed their name to Anthem Edition in late 2022. Andrew Utech joined as bass vocalist at that time. Cameron Edens joined as tenor in the fall of 2023.

StowTown Records partners with The Craguns on release of new album

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JEFF TURNER

The Craguns have begun a partnership with StowTown Records. Their first album with the label, Steadfast Love, is now available.

For the past decade, The Craguns have shared the Gospel through their music ministry. The family has performed on many prominent stages across the country. Their warm vocal harmony has become a recognizable part of their music.

Jordan Cragun spoke about working with StowTown Records. “We are honoured to partner with one of the premier record labels in gospel music to help take these songs to the world,” he said. “We are so excited about this new music and truly believe this is one of the strongest collections of lyrics we’ve ever brought together on a single record.”

Steadfast Love contains 12 songs. Wayne Haun produced the album. He has received multiple GRAMMY® nominations and has won Dove Awards. The album includes songs written by Dallas Holm, Sue C. Smith and Stuart Hamblen.

The song “Faithful” was released to radio in January. Joel Lindsey and Caleb Collins wrote it together. The song begins with a gentle introduction and builds into harmonies. The album ends with “My Faith Still Holds,” written by Bill and Gloria Gaither.

Wayne Haun is both the producer and a StowTown label executive. He shared his thoughts about The Craguns. “I’m always excited to work with new young talent, and The Craguns are already proving they’re a force to be reckoned with,” he said. “Their blend is that unexplainable musical phenomenon that happens when a family sings together. Couple that with their ability to communicate these powerful lyrics and a long-lasting career is well on its way.”

Jordan Cragun thanked Wayne Haun for his work. “We have to give a huge shoutout to Wayne Haun for his incredible production on this album,” he said. He added, “Our deepest desire is that this record would be a blessing to every listener and serve as a reminder, each time they listen, of God’s steadfast love.”

Sony/Provident distributes the album exclusively. Steadfast Love is available at digital and retail outlets worldwide.